Distributed access network discovery and selection function and method of operating the same

Abstract

A system and method is provided for performing an access network discovery and selection function in a communication system. An access network discovery and selection function (“ANDSF”) server is operable with a Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) radio access network and a Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) radio access network coupled to a core network. The ANDSF server is configured to communicate with a user equipment over an enhanced S14 interface. The enhanced S14 interface comprises Wi-Fi radio access technology data including a basis service set (“BSS”) load indication, security information, quality of experience information, backhaul network bandwidth and average throughput. The ANDSF server is also configured to provide policy information to the user equipment based on conditions in the Wi-Fi radio access network and the 3GPP radio access network.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 712,630, entitled “Distributed ANDSF Implementation,” filed on Oct. 11, 2012 which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is directed, in general, to communication systems and, more particularly, a system and method for performing an access network discover and selection function in a communication system.BACKGROUND[0003]Mobile operators are experiencing very rapid increases in data traffic and require more sophisticated ways to handle high traffic volumes. Data offloading to non-Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) access networks (e.g., to Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) access networks) is one way to reduce congestion in 3GPP access networks. It is not always appropriate, however, to move all the traffic in one direction. Rather, consideration should be given to the status of a target access network, a type of data, a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system and method for helping user equipment select the best network to connect to in a communication system. The system uses data from both a 3GPP radio access network and a Wi-Fi network to make decisions for user equipment. The system takes into account factors like network load, security, and quality of experience to provide policy information to user equipment. The overall benefit is improved network selection for user equipment in communication systems.

Problems solved by technology

It is not always appropriate, however, to move all the traffic in one direction.

The current access network discovery and selection function (“ANDSF”) solution does not address a number of problems.

For instance, the current ANDSF does not support an architecture where the ANDSF servers are distributed across mobile telephony switching office (“MTSO”) locations within a radio access network (“RAN”).

The current solution also does not address the relationship between core network ANDSF (“CNA”) servers and radio access network ANDSF (“RANA”) servers.

The current solution also does not address handover between RANA servers when a user equipment (“UE”) traverses between two or more MTSOs.

Despite continued efforts, these limitations have now become substantial hindrances for efficient wide-scale deployment of mobile radio access technology.

Images